CBI chief Ranjit Sinha may go on ‘forced leave’

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that averments made against CBI director Ranjit Sinha arising out of a purported visitors’ diary maintained at his official residence 1 are “serious” in nature and directed him to respond to the allegations “in black and white.”

There is speculation that the government may take a “serious view” of the issue. Speculation is rife that Mr Sinha may be asked to recuse himself from the CBI’s investigations of the Coalgate and 2G spe-ctrum scams or might be instructed to go on “forced leave.”

Brushing aside the allegations, Mr Sinha on Monday said, “The allegations levelled against me are baseless. I cannot comment more on it as it is not authentic at all. As directed by the Supr-eme Court, I will file my reply on the issue before the apex court. I have already made it clear that I will recuse myself from the coal scam pro-bes if the SC orders so.

The apex court on Monday took serious objection to the director’s submission that he would not like to file an affidavit on the averments and would counter the allegations orally.

It turned down Mr Bhushan’s plea that the CBI director be restra-ined from taking any decision in the 2G case during the pendency of the case against him. “Heaven won’t fall in a week. If we find merit in the averments made against the CBI director, then we will quash all the decisions taken by him,” the SC said.